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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a pretty straightforward trail through oak, chinnapquin, chapparal, and eventually a pine forest. You get lovely views all along the trail, and some of the boulders along the way are fascinating. At the top is a fire lookout manned by some friendly people from May-November. You can walk around it to see in every direction. The route starts with some switchbacking, then flattens out for a bit, and for the last mile, the switchbacks are pretty steep, but that's the best part, right? If it seems short - that is because it is. It is only 6 miles round trip up and back. Trailhead: Head south on the 243 from Idyllwild, turn left on Saunders Meadow Road. Turn north onto Pine Avenue (you can only turn north) then turn right onto Tahquitz View Drive, follow it until you see a sign for South Ridge Road. It isn't really a sign for the road, but it lists the trail as an option on the sign. Turn right and follow it to it's completion. The trail begins it's steady climb from here. Be courteous with parking on the weekends, this trail gets a lot of use. (Lat:33.75527 Lon:-116.67707) Trail Guides for Tahquitz Peak - South Ridge Trail: San Bernardino Mountain Trails - 100 Hikes in Southern California by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) California Hiking by Tom Sinestra and Ann Marie Brown (Avalon Travel) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: San Jacinto Wilderness (909) 659-2117 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 2 of 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by I Hate Lay-offs on 2/12/2009 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=sr74 SR 74 [IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA] IS CLOSED FROM 4.2 MI WEST OF THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE TO THE ORANGE/RIVERSIDE CO LINE FROM 2030 HRS EACH NIGHT TO 0430 HRS EACH MORNING 7 DAYS A WEEK THRU 12/30/09 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE
Reviewed by I Hate Re-Orgs on 2/12/2009 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=sr243 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/hwytables.htm SR 243 [IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA] CHAINS OR SNOW TIRES ARE REQUIRED FROM THE JCT OF SR 74 TO LAKE FULMOR (RIVERSIDE CO) Current State Route 243 ConditionsBefore driving, check with the Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) 800.427.7623 
Reviewed by Jack on 12/6/2008 This hike was awsome! DO IT!!! Lots of rockage and pine trees, It's easy and fun, just like my girls... Didnt like the lookout tower at the top tho. takes away from nature.
Reviewed by Jess on 7/28/2008 7/24/08 What a nice day hike up to Tahquitz Peak. Left on an awesome cool July morning at about 8AM. Beautiful sites, Lake Hemet, Garner Valley and Hement Valley. The last part to Forestry lookout was steep with plenty of switchbacks but well worth it. Decided to go down Devils Slide and into Humber Park around Lilly Rock. More gradual downhill desent and was also quite beautifull. We should have turned off our fully carged cell phones because they were useless to us when we finished at Humber Park so we took the Ernie Maxwell Trail to town which added another 3 or so miles to the hike but it was well worth it. I used about 40 oz. of water and would have used more if the temperature would have been the normal 90 plus degrees for July.
Reviewed by Erica on 1/21/2008 I've done this hike twice now. It sucks during the summer to look down and see the haze that has infested SoCal, but the air up in the mountains is lovely. The trail isn't too demanding, and it's a good day hike.
Reviewed by Daisuke Daisuke on 10/1/2007 started at 9am, finished by 2:20pm, with a 1 hr lunch at the lookout tower. beautiful day, demanding hike but do-able. 70 oz to drink. saw a 12" rattle snake. Lookout tower was manned by Host Dave. saw about 6 people during the whole trip. drive up the dirt road potholes was tricky but manageable with 4Runner 2WD. little haze could not see Catalina Island, but could see Jacinto, Gorgonio, Santiago and Big Bear.
Reviewed by Jeremy on 8/12/2007 Hiked on 8/12/07. Started at 9:00am and returned at 2:00pm. Very warm on the way back down. Saw two rattle snakes in the trail so watch out. I couldn't get my car up the dirt road to the trailhead so I had to park down by the paved road / gate, which ended up adding a little mileage, my round trip total was 9.5 miles. Great hike, unbelievable views.
Reviewed by RS on 7/9/2007 Hit the trail at 7:30 a.m. at road's end on what was to become a sweltering July day (almost 100 in Idyllwild!) We were in the shade most of the way up. Great views all the way up. Great lunch spot under a boulder at the summit looking toward San Jacinto. The lookout was closed for renovation. Clear skies all the way to coast. We saw 10 other people total on the trip. Very peaceful. Doubled-timed it back down and did the whole trip in about 4.5 hours. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Riverside County Hiking, Riverside County Trails, Riverside County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||